Grain-valve



No. 624,7I2. Patentes] May 9, |899.

i L. M. WALKER.

GRAIN VALVE.

A ication le une 898.)

t IIIIIIIIHHIIIIII in (No Model.)

IIIIIII I I Een UNITEE STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER M. WALKER, OF AFTON, IOVA.

G RAIN-VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,712, dated May 9, 1899.

Application filed June 18,1898. Serial No. 683,838. (No model.)

T0 01.55 whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, LUTHER M. WALKER, of Afton, in the county of Union, State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Valves, of which the following is a complete specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved grain-valve mechanism comprising a frame adapted to be secured to a blank wall-as, for example, that of a grain-caror to a door of a grain-car. The frame of 'my valve mechanism is so constructed as to be readily applicable to such a wall and to afford forsuch wall when applied thereto ample resistance to the strain imposed by the weight of grain contained within the car or receptacle of which said wall constitutes a part. The valve mechanism also comprehends means for opening or closing the valve from the outside of the car or receptacle.

Grain-cars or similar receptacles out of necessity are built of planks or boards iirmly united together by the framework of the structure. In applying a valve it is necessary to cut through the wall, and thereby weaken it. My invention therefore includes means of sustaining the wall after an opening is made in it and includes special provision for facilitating the manipulation of the valve. Both the securing of the frameto the wall and the means adapted for manipulating the valve have special regard not only to the great weight which the valve has to sustain in use, but also to the resistance opposed by the weight of grain to the operation of the valve.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a portion of a car-body, showing a grain-door equipped with my valve mechanism, the elevated or open position of the valve being shown in dotted lines. Fig. II is a rear elevation of a portion of a graindoor, showing my valve mechanism applied thereto, the valve being closed. Fig. III is a section ou the` line III III of Fig. I. Fig. IV is a section on the line IV IV of Fig. II.

Referring to the numerals on the drawings, l indicates a portion of a car-body representing, by way of example, a receptacle to which my device is applicable.

2 indicates the usual doorway,which is illustrated as closed by an ordinary grain-door 3, which represents a wall to which my valve mechanism is directly applied.

4 indicates an opening formed in the door 3 near its bottom for the accommodation of my valve mechanism, the aperture being designed to permit the discharge of grain by its own weight and being of any suitable shape and size, the oval form illustrated being pre-` ferred.

Around the edges of the opening 4 and conforming to its contour I provide what may be termed inside and outside frame-plates 6 and 7. These plates are preferably made of heavy metal, and being connected by bolts 8, passing through them and through the material of the door 3, afford a rigid and unyielding support for the door around the aperture, such support being, as above suggested, essential in view of the fact that the door is made of planks or boards which when cut away to form the aperture 4f require means of Asupport independent of the original or ordinary structure.

Each of the frame-plates 6 and 7 is provided with an extension or tail piece 10, designed to afford rigid and durable bearings for a valveactuating shaft l1. To the inner end of the shaft 11 is firmly secured, as by an extension l2, a grain-valve 13. The valve, with its extension 12, corresponds in general contour to the frame-plate, against which it works. I prefer to provide the inner frame-plate 6 with a projection or flange 14 and to provide the extension 12 of the valve with a shoulder 15, which fits and works against the iiange 14. where those parts come into juxtaposition.

Y (See Fig. III.) Any suitable means of securing the valve to the shaft 1l may be employed-a-S, for example, a square end upon the shaft i'itting a corresponding aperture in the extension 12 of the valve. Upon the out- 'si'de of the wall or door 3 I provide means for actuating the valve, which may consist sinn-4 ply of a lever 17, fixed to the outer end of the shaft 1l and working in a plane parallel with the face of the door. I 'prefer to provide as means of fixing the position of the lever 17 with respect to the wall a segmental guide-rail 18, secured at its opposite ends to the door 3 and provided with notches 19 for IOO engaging the lever 17 and securing it in those positions in Which the valve is completely opened or closed.

In valve mechanism for grain-cars or similar receptacles account must be taken of the great Weight of grain within the car and the pressure exerted thereby against the valve. Such pressure tends not only to separate the valve-frame from the wall to which it is secured, but also to impede the manipulation of the valve. For this reason I prefer to employ a valve provided on that side which Works against the valve-frame with a plane face and on the other side with a beveled face, which defines a structure having a comparatively thin edge and a heavy middle or body part. By the employment of this structure the movement of the valve is facilitated through the Wedging action afforded by the beveled faces.

Upon the plate 6 I provide lugs 20, which constitute stop-pieces for limiting the closing movement of the valve.

Upon the outer frame-plate 7 I provide a series of chu te-supporting lugs 2l, adapted to receive the terminal flange of a grain-chute. Three lugs 2l may be employed, one on the lower part of the frame and the other two on opposite sides thereof. Above the bottom lug 2l I employa latch 22, adapted to operate against a chute to secure it in place Within the lugs 2l.

What I claim is-- l l. The combination with a frame plate adapted to be secured around an aperture in the Wall of a grain-receptacle, of an inwardlyextending flange around the aperture in the said plate, a valve working shearwise across lthe face of said flange, and valve-actuating mechanism, the parts above mentioned bei-n g adapt-ed to permit the free movement of the valve through the material confined Within the receptacle without crowding it against the Wall to which the frame-plate is secured, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a pair of frameworking against the flange and the Valve proper working against the face of the plate, a shaft extending through the plates and secured to the shouldered extension of the valve, and a lever secured to the opposite extremity of said shaft, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a pair of frameplates, and means for securing them together upon opposite sides, of a blank Wall around an aperture therein, of a valve Working against the inner plate, valve-actuating mechanism extending beyond the outer plate, and chuteretaining l ugs in the ou'ter plate, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a frame plate adapted to be secured around an aperture in the 'Wall of a grain-receptacle, of a shaft working in bearings in said plate, a valve secured to the innerendof said shaft, a lever secured to the outer end thereof, and means for securing the lever in fixed position with respect to the wall of the receptacle, substantially as set, forth.

5. The combination with la pair of plates, and means of uniting them upon opposite sides of a blank wall around an aperture therein, of a shaft Working in bearings in said plates, a valve secured to one end of the shaft, a lever secured to the other end thereof, and a guardrail adapted to be secured to the Wall and provided With means for securing the lever in different fixed positions, substantially as set forth.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name.

LUTHER M. VALKER.

Vtnesses:

WM. SHIELDs, F. S. STEWART. 

